Advice on my shark options

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H

Hoop

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Oct 14, 2009
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Washington, D.C.
Hi All,

Started building a 600 gallon display tank was feels like ages ago, but have finally got it almost complete.

So the total system is as follows:

600 gallon main tank 8' x 4' x 30"
125 gallon sump 8' x 2' x 24" (based on being filled up 12")
2 x 3' tall trickle towers with mixed filtration material
Very large protein skimmer, haven't decided on which one yet, but it will be sized accordingly for this system and for higher bio-load of larger fish.
2 x SEIO 600gph multi-directional hang on pumps for increased water movement and aeration.

My question for the experienced shark keepers here is what are my options for which shark species I can keep in this aquarium for their full lives? The tank is built for a shark and all other inhabitants will be added only if it does not negatively impact the shark (includes how much live rock etc. will be in the tank). Plan is to have only 1 shark and some smaller accompaning fish species along with a reasonable amount of live rock.

Thanks for any advice!
 
To keep in a 600 gallon aquarium for it's entire life. I would say you need to stick with small benthic species - which never get over 30 inches in length.

Species such as

Tropical Species -72-82F

-PNG or Papuan Epaulette
-Arabian Bamboo
-Grey Bamboo
-Coral Catshark
-Marbled Catshark

Cooler water species (below 66F)
-Cloudy Catshark
-Izu Catshark
-Chain Catshark

Note- the cool water species - tend to be fairly hard to find. And are generally pretty pricey when you do find them.
 
Thanks for the reply!

Chain Catshark was on my radar as it is a beautiful species and stays really small, but being that in the wild they live in 55 to 65 degree water at very deep depths seemed that the tank would be limited to them only and require a chiller.

Of the tropical Species you listed, do you see it being feasible to keep 2 of them in the tank? I like all of the following species and would love to keep 2 together.

-Arabian Bamboo
-Grey Bamboo
-Coral Catshark
-Marbled Catshark
 
Any idea the typical availability of these species and suggestions on reputable retailers to check with about purchasing:

-Arabian Bamboo
-Grey Bamboo
-Coral Catshark
-Marbled Catshark

Thanks
 
Hoop;4384638; said:
Any idea the typical availability of these species and suggestions on reputable retailers to check with about purchasing:

-Arabian Bamboo
-Grey Bamboo
-Coral Catshark
-Marbled Catshark

Thanks
Click to expand...

marbled and coral catsharks are easily available. You could easily have a couple of them in there, or a breeding pair. They should be available at your local fish store

100$ for 16in or so
60$ for 6-8
 
Anyone see the Arabian Bamboo or Grey Bamboo in LFS or wholesalers? I like the catsharks, but I have to say I like the slighty thicker bodies of the Bamboos. All the photos I have found online seem to be of juvenile species of the catsharks, so I guess it is possible that they widen out a bit as they mature.
 
Those two species of catsharks stay pretty thin.

Adult coral cat:

shark_coralCatshark1.jpg
 
Arabian & Grey Bamboos tend to be a bit harder to find than White-spotted & Brown-banded Bamboos are.

Still both are offered for sale occasional, But they usually command a much higher price than the larger Bamboos.
 
Ah i got a video of a large THICK marble... sec!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_D1OCJqk2o


Here it is. You can really fill these guys out and these really look like a leopard shark. A full grown marble is better looking then 80% of sharks. They are just so skinny when younger...
 
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